Proverbs 13:5-6

⁵The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. ⁶Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Publicity

         If you wish to be famous or popular figure, you should accept publicity. Have your heard someone said, “Good or bad publicity is still a publicity?”

Publicity may help anyone to become famous or infamous. Intentionally or accidentally, the media publish anything that may attract their attention. News headlines these days promote protesters. Aggressive people protest on anything that they just don’t readily agree with. To get attention from the media or press, delinquent protesters may violently destroy establishments or monuments.

In contrast, even if individuals with integrity may not necessarily desire to be famous, their honesty can speak much louder than shouts of violence,

Personally, how do you interpret what it narrated in John 6:14-15? ¹⁴After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ¹⁵Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

         Everyone who has social media account may appreciate popularity if they have many subscribers or followers. In comparison, the Lord Jesus had become popular during his days of ministry on earth, but he did not exploit his popularity to advance his mission purpose, why? He knew that those who wanted to make him king were also the same people who chanted for him to be crucified.

         The social media has been weaponized to criticize basketball players. A popular basketball player was not impressed of critics who watch their game. She said, “You are watching the wrong league.” And, the media are also quick to interpret that the basketball player discourages bashers or critics to watch their league. Well, public figures should accept the reality that watchers may criticize them. Observers appreciate goodness; they also criticize mistakes or errors.

         Together, let us reflect on Apostle Paul’s testimony in Romans 11:13-14,

¹³As I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry ¹⁴in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 

         At first, Apostle Paul insisted on preaching the gospel of Christ to Jewish people, but instead of warm welcome, they persecuted him. God allowed the Jewish people to persecute Apostle Paul so that he would divert his focus to the Gentiles. God has ordained it for Paul as apostle to the Gentiles.

         Normally, we can be affected but we should not detest our problems? God allows problems or persecutions to divert us. Instead, we detest wickedness.

 1.  Detest

⁵The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

         Some respected version of the Scripture translated the term false as lying. As children of the Righteous God, we should avoid lying and detest what is false. Lying and falsehood are stench and stinky smell of wickedness. Religious or not one detests stinky odorous smell of lying. Nobody take pleasure on stinky smell.

         They cannot notice their stinky body smell when their nose has adjusted or accustomed to their stench. People who seldom take a bath or change clothes are comfortable with their smell; their nose adjusted to their smell. People choose fragrance of smell and the freshness feeling, if they are particular with hygiene.

Figuratively, lying is stinky stench, liars cannot avoid it. Spiritually, we want the Lord to appreciate us when we obey him. Obedience to him is righteousness. Righteousness is aromatic perfume to the Lord. Obeying our mandate to witness for Christ is aromatic to him. Read what has declared in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16,

¹⁴But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. 

         Whether we obey Christ intentionally or be pathetic about it, we become aroma to anyone. Those who’re destined to destruction do not like to hear about eternal life in Christ. They will appreciate it, if we remain pathetic and silent about the good news of salvation. But surely, those who are destined to life eternal appreciate it when we tell them about the wonderful plan of Christ for everyone.

International missionaries

         One practical approach of international missionaries in Asia is to distribute relief goods to potential believers. They contact local churches that have financial difficulties and agree to support with condition that they will preach the gospel to attendees. Creative strategy! Right? They are able to spread the gospel, and at the same time, share generosity to potential believers. But when missionaries go to another mission point, some attendees stop attending the church. Well at least, genuine believers will continue to attend the church and grow spiritually.

Let us reflect on what Apostle Paul had testified in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23.

²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

God knows exactly who believes in Christ and desires to grow spiritually. He is not surprised that we prioritize Christ as Lord. It’s favorable that we pray for guidance when we testify for Christ or share his gospel intentionally. We pray for divine appointment for potential believers for them to be saved not destroyed.

2. Destroy

⁶Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

         Integrity and righteousness are inseparable. A person who behaves in righteousness has integrity. In comparison, reputation of a person is destroyed by wickedness he does. The term “wickedness” is also interpreted as faulty. Anyone who thinks that wickedness is normal has a faulty mindset. Wickedness is faulty and defective that could be destroyed at any moment without warning.

Calgary

         Across the city of Calgary, water levels remain critical. Businesses and homes in the city experienced water shortage. Government officials are warning that water supply could run out in few days. They’re asking residents in Calgary to conserve and use water wisely. Why? What happened? A channel of water supply was broken and needs repair. Concerned official did not know about the damage until the breakage caused streets flooding and exposed the damage.

Someone said that water damage can happen anywhere, so it is advisable to have regular check up of the water main source channels. Similarly, wicked activities will eventually damage a sinner. If not here in this world, it will certainly happen in eternity. We have to continue rely upon the Lord for us to be righteous.

Personally, let’s reflect seriously what it admonishes on Ephesians 5:8-13.

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

Christ is the Light of the World. When we behave in righteousness, the light of Christ reflects in and through our life. We choose goodness and truth. The Lord himself empowers us to do what is good in his eyes. All good things that the Lord wants us to do are beneficial for us in this world and also in eternity.

Many delinquencies nowadays are viewed as normal. Many cultures view habitual delay as normal, even Christians assume delayed obedience as normal.

Timely obedience to Christ is the most wonderful life we can experience in this world now until eternity. To conceptualize and internalize it, pray for increase of faith. After you prioritized Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, has your life been changed to betterment? That should be practical proof of God’s grace.

Living in righteousness is rehearsal of life in heaven. When inspired by the Holy Spirit, we behave in righteousness; we prioritize the Lord, and that affirms us practically that we are prepared to live with God in his heaven for all eternity.

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